23 Comments

How beautifully written, friend. My heart was in my mouth as I read on and I am so glad that, though it might have been otherwise, you and Jihong are home safely and all is well. Thanks you for sharing this. It is very moving.

Julie

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Thank you, Julie. We all are immersed every day in the otherwiseness of our lives!

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I echo what Julie said, Phyllis 🙏

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Thank you, Mish. As I said to Julie, we all are immersed every day in the otherwiseness of our lives!

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Oh my, quite the adventure!

So glad it all turned out okay.

Thank you for sharing.

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You're welcome, Mariah. We're glad, too! Be well in the otherwiseness of your own life!

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Loved your repeated

comment of "it might have been otherwise". It not only sewed your story together seamlessly

but taught the reader (this one) to remember this phrase at precarious times in my own life. A journey with creative learning becoming the focus of every step. As though this adventure was taking you towards your destiny maybe to live a bit

longer. The closing paragraph was particularly beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

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You're welcome, Dona. Love this line: "A journey with creative learning becoming the focus of every step." Bless every step you take.

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Thank you for taking the time to reply. Appreciate your words.

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Beautiful and touching 🙏

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Thank you for reading, Michael!

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This was a powerful telling of an experience that made my blood run cold. Life in Minnesota and the Dakotas still requires courage, the help of others, and a big dose of good fortune. Glad it ended safely!

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You know it well, Joan! Be well in the otherwiseness of your own life!

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Thank you. For sharing the wonder of this. It might have been otherwise. Your presence online & therefore in my life is a wonder. Thank you - for being you! Whatever would we do, without the art of connection?!

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Thank you for letting me companion your life, Emily.

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Rejoicing!!

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Yes, indeed, Nancy!

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I was mesmerized by your story Phyllis. Having gone through a similar experience, I could feel every heartbeat! We got to a safe place with our one year old, but- it might have been otherwise ❤️❤️

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Ooh, my, going through such an experience with a little one!

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Now I know what you were working on when you told us about this on Thursday! All the paths taken and not taken and even they can end otherwise! So glad you all are safe and the otherwise ended up here.

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Indeed, I'd already written it by then! Love your line: "The otherwise ended up here."

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Moved by your insights after reading this a second time. Thank you!

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I'm moved by your reading it a second time, Kathy. Thank YOU!

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